patrilineal
UK[ˌpætrɪˈlɪniəl]US[ˌpeɪtrɪˈlɪniəl]
adj
relating to or based on relationship to the father or descent through the male line.
Morpheme Breakdown
patri
line
al
patri
father
line
line
al
adjective suffix
Etymology
the term patrilineal is a modern english formation, combining classical elements to describe a specific kinship system. the first element, "patri-", derives from the latin pater (father), itself from the proto-indo-european root ph₂tḗr. the second element, "line", originates from latin linea (a linen thread, line), which metaphorically extended to mean a line of descent. the suffix "-al" is a common adjectival ending from latin -alis. thus, the word's literal construction, "of the father's line," directly and logically conveys its modern anthropological meaning of tracing ancestry and inheritance through male forebears.
Analysis
Structure: patri (father) + line (line) + al (adjective suffix)
patri (from latin pater, meaning "father"), line (from latin linea, meaning "line, string"), al (latin adjectival suffix -alis)
Examples
many ancient societies were patrilineal, with property and titles passing from father to son.
the clan follows a patrilineal system, where membership is determined solely by the father's lineage.
anthropologists study patrilineal descent groups to understand social organization.